Naya Pakistan – Pakistan Todayhttps://www.pakistantoday.com.pk
Dedicated to telling the news like it isFri, 22 Feb 2019 17:05:39 +0000en-GBhourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.5GCU Faislabad tears down Imran Khan’s picture from PM laptop scheme bannerhttps://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2019/01/11/gcu-faislabad-tears-down-imran-khans-picture-from-pm-laptop-scheme-banner/
https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2019/01/11/gcu-faislabad-tears-down-imran-khans-picture-from-pm-laptop-scheme-banner/#commentsFri, 11 Jan 2019 14:30:18 +0000https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/?p=996545...]]>The Government College University Faisalabad has taken down a banner advertising the date for the distribution ceremony of the Prime Minister’s laptop scheme which had carried a picture of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The banner, which had a picture of Prime Minister Imran Khan for the distribution ceremony taking place on January 18th, was taken down after the PM was criticised on social media for taking part in a scheme that his party had promised to never get on board with. In a tweet from back in October 2014, the PTI on its official twitter handle had criticised the Prime Minister’s laptop scheme saying that “We won’t provide laptops but train our youth with computer programming skills and equip them with necessary skills.”

The banner which was for the fifth phase of the scheme, which will also be its last, since the PTI announced in September that it would be ending the scheme along with others, seems to have been a mistake made on the part of the university administration.

“The University administration seems to have put up the Prime Minister’s picture in accordance with their habits and the attitude of the previous government. They need to understand that this is Nayya Pakistan” it read.

Before this, PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal had also pointed out the banner and reminded the PTI of their tweet. “This is why it is wise to weigh your words before you speak. The PML-N introduced the youth to digital revolution through its laptop scheme and Imran Khan opposed it. Now he has made it his own. Another U-turn” he said in a facebook post.

]]>https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2019/01/11/gcu-faislabad-tears-down-imran-khans-picture-from-pm-laptop-scheme-banner/feed/1‘Naya Pakistan’: PM tweets CM Buzdar’s picture with villagershttps://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/12/27/naya-pakistan-pm-tweets-cm-buzdars-picture-with-rural-people/
https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/12/27/naya-pakistan-pm-tweets-cm-buzdars-picture-with-rural-people/#commentsThu, 27 Dec 2018 16:53:07 +0000https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/?p=989590...]]>Prime Minister Imran Khan, who often takes pride in the selection of Sardar Usman Buzdar as Punjab’s chief minister, took to Twitter on Thursday to share a picture of his meeting with a delegation of people from rural areas of the province.

Sharing the picture which shows CM Buzdar carefully listening to issues of the people sitting beside him on a sofa, the prime minister wrote on his official Twitter handle: “This is Naya Pakistan. A picture is worth more than a 1000 words.”

PM Imran had previously dubbed the Punjab chief minister the face of change. “He knows people live in the backward areas of Punjab. He is sympathetic towards the deprived common men. The real CM, the real Khadim-e-Aala is Usman Buzdar sitting next to me who lives simply and who feels for his people,” he said.

On Dec 26, the Punjab chief minister reiterated that the people hailing from remote areas of the province will be given their rights. He said this while talking to different delegations of the people belonging to the rural areas of the province who called on him at his office in Lahore.

He said this while addressing after inaugurating a photographic exhibition on “Life of Jinnah” organised by Directorate of Electronic Media and Publications here at Lok Virsa. The minister said with the grace of Almighty Allah, Pakistan would become the embodiment of the vision of the Quaid-i-Azam.

He said that Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was the first Muslim leader who convinced the Muslims of the sub-continent to give up their old approach and keep pace with the changing times.

The minister said the Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah with his visionary approach not only defeated the British rulers and Hindu leaders but also overcame the challenge the extremist mindset in Muslims of the sub-continent and laid the foundation of a modern Islamic welfare state.

The minister said that the Quaid was an enlightened leader who always opposed extremist thinking. The minister said that the Quaid had foretold the nation about the loss owing to corruption and nepotism in the society.

He said that records of corruption and plunder were created in the past and now the nation was waiting for the court verdict on the cases of corruption.

He said that corruption and poverty were interlinked and due to corruption in the past, the people of Pakistan were deprived of basic facilities like health and education.

Replying to media persons’ questions, he ruled out the possibility of any NRO to the corrupt leaders of the country and assured that national wealth worth billions of dollars looted in the past would be brought back. He said that people were not fools to leave homes and protest for saving properties made abroad with looted money.

He said that a comprehensive policy for private schools has been prepared and revamping of the educational system was on the anvil.

Fawad Hussain said that the country was facing no problems as far as the issue of balance of payments was concerned.

–Court snubs Zulfi Bukhari’s ‘arrogance’, says appointments on key posts must not be made on basis of friendship

LAHORE: The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday said nepotism at senior government positions is unacceptable and the prime minister “does not have unlimited powers”.

The court was hearing a petition pertaining to Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari’s appointment as prime minister’s special assistant on overseas Pakistanis and human resource development.

Bukhari, better known as Zulfi Bukhari, is a close aide and friend of Prime Minister Imran Khan and his appointment caused controversy among opposition circles. The petition filed by Mirza Moiz Baig and Adil Chattha, takes issue with the appointment due to Bukhari’s dual nationality and the ongoing National Accountability Bureau (NAB) investigation against him for owning offshore companies.

‘YOU ARE NOT A FRIEND OF THE COURT’:

As Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar heard the case at SC’s Lahore registry, he reprimanded Bukhari for his attitude.

“You should leave your arrogance at home. You may be someone’s friend but you are not a friend of the court,” the CJP said while addressing Bukhari.

He added that appointments should be made to cater to national interest and “not on the basis of friendships”.

In response, Bukhari’s defence counsel Aitzaz Ahsan argued that the prime minister has the authority to pick his special advisers.

However, not one to be appeased, the chief justice responded that the prime minister is a trustee of the people, hence, he cannot run matters according to his own will.

“We will decide whether matters are being run as per the constitution or not,” the CJP said.

‘APPOINTMENT WAS MADE PER RULES OF BUSINESS’:

The top judge then inquired as to the orders for Bukhari’s appointment, asking who had called for a summary in this regard.

His lawyer replied that he was not given a constitutional post as is he is not a member of the federal cabinet, but was appointed according to the rules of business.

“This post is better suited for an individual holding dual nationality, as a United Kingdom visa provides the person with mobility to run affairs smoothly,” Ahsan argued.

The CJP said that the court would not tolerate nepotism, saying a precedent was available in the case of Jahangir Khan Tareen.

“What is so special about Zulfi Bukhari? Has he been appointed because he is a friend of someone?” said the CJP, noting that this was an “important” case.

Bukhari told the court that he has a degree in Political Science.

“I have excellent relations with overseas Pakistanis and I am among the top 100 Muslims in the UK,” he claimed.

“I am also a property developer in the UK and I have access to overseas Pakistanis so I can bring business to Pakistan. People know me,” he asserted, responding to questions pertaining to his profession.

Justice Nisar questioned Bukhari if he had ever lived in Pakistan to which he replied that he studied in the county for five years until he turned 18. “Must have been a ‘mummy daddy’ school,” the judge replied.

The court then directed Aitzaz Ahsan to submit a report on Bukhari’s appointment as PM’s special assistant, seeking a detail of his credentials.

The hearing of the case was then adjourned until Dec 5.

]]>https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/11/16/zulfi-bukhari-case-cjp-says-nepotism-unacceptable-at-higher-positions/feed/2Japan urged to tap lucrative investment opportunities in ‘Naya Punjab’https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/11/13/japan-urged-to-tap-lucrative-investment-opportunities-in-naya-pakistan/
Tue, 13 Nov 2018 14:26:33 +0000https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/?p=969011...]]>LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Sardar Usman Buzdar on Tuesday said there are tremendous business opportunities and a potential of investment in Pakistan, especially in different sectors of Punjab, and Japan too can utilise them.

Speaking during a meeting with Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan Takashi Kurai, the chief minister said a conducive atmosphere is being provided for investment and as a result, the interest of foreign investors has been increased in Pakistan, particularly in Punjab, due to favourable policies of the government.

“The potential sectors of the province include healthcare, education, energy production and provision of clean drinking water,” he said and added Japan can take full benefit of the new opportunities.

“It [Japan] has played an important role in the national development of Pakistan and welfare of the common people are the prime focus of the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan.”

CM Buzdar said that different opportunities of investment are available in almost all sectors of Punjab and the law and order situation is also satisfactory. Best facilities will be provided to foreign investors and it is the best time to give a new dimension to our friendship with Japan, he added.

“The Japanese nation has progressed by dint of hard work and I am a great admirer of that,” the chief minister said.

He further stated that the science and technology sector will be moved forward in Punjab by learning from rapid progress made by Japan. “We will also benefit from Japanese expertise as innovative reforms are being introduced in new Pakistan.”

The chief minister also commended Japanese cooperation in improving civic amenities, healthcare and education sectors.

Discussing the expansion of cooperation in different sectors, the Japanese envoy assured to promote cooperation with the province of Punjab in irrigation, clean drinking water as well as technical and vocational education.

Kurai said that there is a need to transform Pakistan-Japan relations into strong economic ties and Japan is willing to further promote its relations with Islamabad.

“Economic relations between Pakistan and Japan will further be enhanced in the days to come and steps will be taken to promote investments between Punjab and Osaka,” he said while also extending felicitations to CM Buzdar on his success in the general elections and subsequent election as the chief minister.

Planning and Development (P&D) chairman, Punjab Board of Investment and Trade (PBIT) chief executive officer, CM’s spokesperson and other high officials were also present on the occasion.

]]>‘Make Pakistan Great Again’, Trump-like poster of PM Khan spotted in UShttps://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/10/30/make-pakistan-great-again-trump-like-poster-of-pm-khan-spotted-in-us/
Tue, 30 Oct 2018 13:57:16 +0000https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/?p=961723...]]>Amid the ongoing comparisons between Prime Minister Imran Khan and United States (US) President Donald Trump’s administrations at the hands of netizens, a poster inscribed with a campaign slogan “Make Pakistan Great Again” has been spotted in the US.

As per the details, a modified version of the slogan “Make America Great Again” – popularised by Trump in his successful 2016 presidential campaign – has been spotted outside a desi grocery store in the Houston city of US State-Texas.

The poster was first shared by a US-based Pakistani journalist on his Twitter handle.

Among other US presidents who have raised the said slogan in their electioneering are Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton.

‘MEET THE PAKISTANI DONALD TRUMP’:

It merits a mention here that earlier this year, South African comedian Trevor Noah had also compared PM Khan to US President Trump, stressing that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief’s background story was “unnervingly similar” to that of Trump’s, wherein the two belonged to privileged families and were known for their good looks.

Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show” famed television host, who is known for never shying away from calling out world politics and the hypocrisy that it brings along, in a recent episode, had called Khan an “even more tan version of Trump”.

The 34-year-old comedian, had said that media also portrayed Khan and Trump similarly. A clip from the show featured a political commentator stating that Khan seemed to contradict himself during speeches just like the US president had also often been accused of.

In his concluding joke, Noah, who is branded for highlighting everything that is wrong across the world through satire, had said, “I don’t know if Prime Minister Khan will turn out to be exactly like President Trump. All I’m saying is that if you’re planning to move to Pakistan to escape Trump, you might want to pick someplace else.”

]]>Punjab will play lead role in creation of ‘Naya Pakistan’: Buzdarhttps://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/10/21/punjab-will-play-lead-role-in-creation-of-naya-pakistan-buzdar/
Sun, 21 Oct 2018 15:31:26 +0000https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/?p=957151...]]>LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Ahmad Khan Buzdar said that Punjab will play a leading role in the creation of ‘New Pakistan’ as envisioned by Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Talking to a delegation in Lahore on Sunday, he said reforms are being introduced in the health, education, tourism and other sectors aimed at bringing about a real change.

The Punjab chief minister said the government is determined to pursue its mission of supremacy of rule of law and transparency in every sphere of life.

]]>Jahangir Tareen’s son graduates from Oxford, announces returnhttps://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/09/01/jahangir-tareens-son-graduates-from-oxford-announces-return/
https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/09/01/jahangir-tareens-son-graduates-from-oxford-announces-return/#commentsSat, 01 Sep 2018 16:01:46 +0000https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/?p=929081...]]>Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Ali Tareen has completed his education from Oxford’s business school and announced returning to ‘Naya Pakistan’.

Jahangir Tareen’s son made the announcement on Twitter where he said, “After two years of readings, exams and monthly flights to Oxford, I have finally completed my Masters. Now that the wife is impressed (the reason I do most things in life), time to head back to Naya Pakistan and get some work done.”

After 2 years of readings, exams and monthly flights to Oxford, I have finally completed my Masters. Now that the wife is impressed(the reason I do most things in life), time to head back to Naya Pakistan and get some work done. pic.twitter.com/GNpqPyLWhY

Ali Tareen said his father couldn’t make it to the graduation ceremony and had to fly back to Pakistan ahead of the presidential elections scheduled on September 4. The PTI leadership had called up Jahangir Tareen to help their presidential candidate Arif Alvi to gain support by making contacts with other political parties.

“Missing @JahangirKTareen today at my business school graduation. He had flown to England to attend but was called back for the Presidential Election. Naya Pakistan 1-0 Beta,” Ali Tareen said in his earlier tweet.

Missing @JahangirKTareen today at my business school graduation. He had flown to England to attend but was called back for the Presidential Election.

Ali Tareen, who contested a by-election from Lodhran’s NA-154 after his father’s disqualification, is expected to contest in the by-polls. In February 2018, Ali was defeated by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Iqbal Shah, who later joined the PTI, by a margin of over 27,000 votes.

In June, he had excused himself from contesting the July 25 general elections owing to his educational commitments. Ali had said he considered himself ineligible for the party ticket for 2018 polls as he will not be able to give a 100 per cent during the election campaign.

The first cabinet announced by Prime Minister Imran Khan falls short of his promised ‘right man for the right job’ motto. Rather, the 20-member ‘dream team’ looks like a stereotypical recipe to accommodate politicians from all provinces and coalition partners irrespective of their skills, expertise, and calibre.

Moreover, there is no representation of young parliamentarians who have zeal, energy and fervour to serve the nation. PTI’s firebrand speakers who have been defending the PTI on media like Shehryar Khan Afridi, Zartaj Gul Wazir, Ali Mohammad Khan and Farrukh Habib have been ignored.

However, most of the ministers chosen are stereotypes, like Sheikh Rasheed, Dr Zubaida Jalal, Dr Khalid Maqbool, Dr Farogh Nasim, Pervez Khattak, and Shireen Mazari who don’t reflect PTI’s maxim of change. The only strength they have is their links with the military establishment though.

While the chief minister of Punjab has already proved to be not a true reflection of PTI’s dynamic programme, it was necessary for Imran Khan to appoint PTI’s young leaders in major ministries to help pull the dream of ‘Naya Pakistan’ into reality. As an offence to many, the new team doesn’t include a single member from the minority groups in the country as neither a Hindu, Christian or a Parsi has been given the portfolio for interfaith harmony.

Moreover, women have also been ignored in the new cabinet while Mazari has been given an office she has never dealt with – human rights.

Former chief minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – Pervez Khattak – has been appointed as Minister for Defence. While he has nothing to do with MoD, Khattak had told media during an interview that he keeps away from media, military and judiciary. Now one wonders how Khattak, who is known to be short-tempered, would coordinate between the Ministry of Defence and civilian leadership.

Dr Fehmida Mirza has served as National Assembly speaker in past and had undergone medical treatment abroad due to her serious health condition. How she will be able to shuttle between provincial capitals is a major question as Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination has to act as a liaison between federal and provincial governments.

Tariq Bashir Cheema is a typical Punjabi politician from Bahawalpur who has been made the Minister for States and Frontier Regions. One may ask how he will be able to deal with tribal elders on behalf of the federal government and it can only be answered by Imran Khan.

Senior politician Ghulam Sarwar Khan, who defeated former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan in two national assembly constituencies, has been appointed Minister for Petroleum while the fellow has no experience of dealing in the field. Perhaps, the only relevance can be made is that Sarwar’s adversary, Ch Nisar, served as Minister for Petroleum in past and Sarwar may be trying to equate himself as Petroleum Minister.

Dr Jalal has served as Minister for Education under Musharraf’s team back in 2002-2007 but now she has been appointed as Minister for Defence Production – a subject she has never dealt with.

Amir Mehmood Kayani has been appointed Minister for Health Services while the fellow has no relevance with Ministry of Health or reforms in the health sector. Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui has been appointed Minister for Information Technology & Telecommunication while the fellow has no expertise in this subject.

Shafqat Mehmood would look after two ministries, federal education & professional training and national history & literary Heritage division, but the former bureaucrat has nothing to do with the subject of education.

One may appreciate that Imran Khan has made an effort to accommodate people from various provinces and all allied parties, however, this team fails to appear as a much-anticipated ‘dream team’.